Confidential communications executing multifunctional product

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional product connected with a plurality of terminals over a network includes an image information obtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storing device that stores the image information in a prescribed location as a document file, and a designating device that designates a prescribed terminal to receive the document file. A file transmission device is provided to transmit the document file to the prescribed terminal simultaneously when the document file storing device stores the image information in the document file.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2004-049166 filed on Feb. 25, 2004, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a networked multifunctional productthat communicates various data with other terminal apparatuses over anetwork by applying various communications protocols.

2. Discussion of the Background Art

A network communications system sometimes includes a networkmultifunctional product that communicates various data with otherterminal apparatuses over a network by applying various communicationsprotocols.

In such a network communications apparatus, various application servicesare provided while the network multifunctional product acts as a core.For example, an image read from an original document is transmitted to adesignated mail destination by electronic mail as a “scan to emailservice”. A body context of a reception email and an image of anattached file or the like are printed out as an “electronic mailprintout service”. Similarly, a body context of a reception email and animage of an attached file or the like are transmitted to a designatedfacsimile as an “electronic mail facsimile transfer service”.

In such a network communications system, it is preferable that a file istransmitted from the network multifunctional product to a designateduser by various communications devices in various manners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel multifunctionalproduct that communicates data with a plurality of terminals over anetwork using a prescribed communications protocol.

Such a novel multifunctional product includes an image informationobtaining device that obtains image information, a document file storingdevice that stores the image information in a prescribed location as adocument file, and a designating device that designates a prescribedterminal to receive a document file. A file transmission device isprovided to transmit the document file to the terminal simultaneouslywhen the document file storing device stores the image information inthe document file.

In another embodiment, a multifunctional product communicates data withother multifunctional products over a network using a prescribedcommunications protocol. An electronic mail transmission device isprovided to transmit an electronic mail to a multifunctional productdesignated by the designating device with confidential link informationhaving partial location information related to a location of thedocument file. A table listing full location information is provided toenable the other multifunctional product to access a correspondingdocument file. The other multifunctional product identifiescorresponding full location information based on the partial locationinformation and downloads the document file by accessing the documentfile storing device using the corresponding full location information.

In yet another embodiment, the document file is provided with anattribution indicating if image information of the document file isdisclosed. The network multifunctional product requests authorizationinformation when the document file having the attribution representingthat image information is not disclosed is accessed.

In yet another embodiment, the attribution is attached to the documentfile when the document filed is made.

In yet another embodiment, the other multifunctional product executescommunications in accordance with the confidential link information whenaccessing the document file-storing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendantadvantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description whenconsidered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system including an exemplarymultifunctional product according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates the multifunctional product of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary electric connections in a multifunctionalproduct;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary operational panel employed in amultifunctional product according to one embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary processing module employed in amultifunctional product;

FIG. 6 illustrates exemplary information regions registered in aninformation-processing unit B provided in a multifunctional product 1;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary personal setting information andan exemplary personal information, respectively;

FIGS. 8A to 8E collectively illustrate exemplary registrationinformation, an exemplary mail destination, an exemplary facsimiledestination, an exemplary group destination, and an exemplary filedestination;

FIGS. 9A to 9D illustrate an exemplary network path of a filedestination, an exemplary local path of a file destination, an exemplarycase name and body context, and an exemplary document name and user;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate exemplary preset information and anexemplary reading condition;

FIGS. 11A and 11B collectively illustrate an exemplary image processingcondition;

FIGS. 12A and 12B collectively illustrate an exemplarytransmission/storage condition one touch button;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary printing condition one touch button;

FIGS. 14A to 14E illustrate an exemplary reception mailbox, exemplaryinitial values of a name, an account name, an exemplary sharing mediaaddress, and an exemplary file transmission link address, respectively;

FIGS. 15A and 15B illustrate exemplary personal system settinginformation and exemplary fundamental setting, respectively;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary display setting;

FIGS. 17A to 17C illustrate exemplary reading, communicating, andstorage settings, respectively;

FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate exemplary print and OCR settings,respectively;

FIGS. 19A to 19D illustrate exemplary security, exemplary networkaccessing restriction, exemplary mail transmission authorization, andexemplary access authority restriction, respectively;

FIGS. 20A to 20C illustrate exemplary system setting information and anexemplary network setting, respectively;

FIGS. 21A and 21B illustrate an exemplary mail setting;

FIGS. 22A and 22B illustrate exemplary facsimile and facsimilecommunications settings, respectively;

FIGS. 23A to 23E illustrate exemplary system administration, exemplarystorage documents, exemplary career administration, exemplary security,and exemplary date setting, respectively;

FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate an exemplary confidential link informationtable and exemplary confidential link information, respectively;

FIGS. 25A and 25B illustrate an exemplary personal menu screen and anexemplary storage documents screen, respectively;

FIGS. 26A and 26B illustrate an exemplary storage documents screen andan exemplary destination designation screen, respectively;

FIGS. 27A and 27B illustrate an exemplary return mail designating screenand an exemplary case name-designating screen, respectively;

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary operational screen after a destination,a return mail destination, and a case name are designated;

FIGS. 29A and 29B illustrate an exemplary transmission option selectingscreen and an exemplary file transmission link address-selecting screen,respectively;

FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary transmission option-selecting screenafter each of items has been designated;

FIG. 31 illustrates an exemplary processing executed when a filetransmission link is transmitted; and

FIGS. 32A and 32B collectively illustrate an exemplary processingexecuted when an electronic mail is received.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, inparticular in FIG. 1, an exemplary system including a multifunctionalproduct 1, e.g. a multifunctional digital color copier, is illustratedaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. Themultifunctional product 1 includes various functions of copying, makingfacsimile, printing, scanning, and distributing an image obtained by thescanning, printing, and making facsimile.

A server computer 3, which processes various information, and aplurality of client computers 4 are connected to the multifunctionalproduct 1 via a local area network (LAN) 2 that serves as acommunications network in the system. The server computer 3 supports FTPand HTTP protocols and functions as a Web server and a DNS (Domain NameServer), for example.

Specifically, an environment is established in the system such thatvarious functions of the multifunctional product 1, such as inputting(e.g. a scanner function), outputting (e.g. a print function),processing (e.g. storing an image) an image, etc., can be shared on theLAN 2. The system is connected to the Internet 6 via a communicationscontrol unit 5, and an external environment such as anothermultifunctional digital color copier 100 via the Internet 6 tocommunicate data therebetween.

The communications control unit 5 includes a router, an exchanger, aMODEM, and a DSL MODEM or the like. However, another equipment can beemployed if it can execute TCP/IP communications. The LAN 2 is notlimited to wired communications, such as optical fiber, and can employwireless communications, such as an infrared light, an electric wave,etc.

Now, the multifunctional product 1 is described in detail with referenceto FIG. 2.

As shown, the multifunctional product 1 includes a printing apparatus 7that forms an image on a medium such as a transfer sheet, and an imagereading apparatus 8 arranged above the printing apparatus 7 to read animage from an original document.

An operational panel P is provided on the surface of the image readingapparatus 8 to display information to an operator and allow the operatorto input various settings, such as function setting, etc.

An external media inputting-outputting apparatus 9 is provided beneaththe operational panel P to read and write program code and image data orthe like from and to a memory medium M, such as an optical disc, aflexible disc, etc., as illustrated in FIG. 3. An insertion inlet isprovided and appears from the external media inputting-outputtingapparatus 9 to allow insertion of the memory medium M.

The multifunctional product 1 is roughly divided into an imageprocessing unit section A and an information processing unit section Bserving as a computer that executes various information processing. Theprinting apparatus 7 and the image reading apparatus 8 belong to theimage processing unit section A, while the operational panel P andexternal media inputting outputting apparatus 9 belong to theinformation processing unit section B.

Now the image processing unit section A is described in further detailwith reference to FIG. 3.

The image processing unit section A includes an image processing controlunit 10 that generally controls image processing executed therein andthe image reading apparatus 8. A printing control unit 11 that controlsthe printing apparatus 7, and an image reading control unit 12 thatcontrols the image reading apparatus 8 are connected to the imageprocessing control unit 10.

The printing control unit 11 outputs a printing instruction togetherwith image data to the printing apparatus 7 under control of the imageprocessing control unit 10, and causes the printing apparatus 7 to formand output an image on a medium such as a transfer sheet. The printingapparatus 7 is enabled to execute full-color printing using variousprinting systems, such as an ink jet system, a dye sublimation thermaltransfer system, a silver photographic system, a direct thermal printingsystem, a melting type thermal transfer system, etc., beside anelectro-photographic system.

An image reading control unit 12 is controlled by the image processingcontrol unit 10 to drive the image reading apparatus 8 and converge alight irradiated and reflected from a surface of an original document ata light acceptance unit such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) via amirror, lens, etc. The image reading control unit 12 then reads andexecutes A/D conversion, and then generates digital image data of RGBeach with eight bits.

Such an image processing control unit 10 is formed from a microcomputer,in which a CPU (Central Control Unit) 13 serving as a main processor, aSDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) 14 that temporarilystores image data read from the image reading apparatus 8 to be used inimage formation of the printing apparatus 7, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15that stores control program or the like, and a NVRAM 16 that maintainssystem log, system setting, and log information or the like when powersupply is turned off, are connected to each other through a bus.

Further, a HDD (i.e., a magnetic disc apparatus) 17 serving as a memorythat stores masses of image data and job career or the like, a LANcontrol section 18 that connects the image processing unit section A tothe LAN 2 via a hub 19 that serves as a wire correcting apparatus for aninterior LAN arranged within an apparatus, and a facsimile control unit20 that controls a facsimile are connected to the image processingcontrol unit 10.

The facsimile control unit 20 is connected to a private branch exchange(PBX) 22 connected to a public telephone line network 21 (see FIG. 1).The multifunctional product 1 is enabled to communicate with a remotefacsimile apparatus via a public telephone line network 21.

In addition, a display control unit 23 and an operation input controlunit 24 are connected to the image processing control unit 10. Thedisplay control unit 23 outputs an image display control signal to theinformation processing unit section B via a communications cable 26,connected to a control panel interface 25, under control of the imageprocessing control unit 10, to control the operation panel P to displayan image.

Further, the operation input control unit 24 inputs control signals,generated in accordance with function settings and inputting operationsexecuted by an operator through the operational panel P via acommunications cable 26, which is connected to the control panelinterface 25, under control of the image processing control unit 10.

Specifically, the image processing unit section A is enabled to directlymonitor the operational panel P via the communications cable 26.

Accordingly, the image processing unit section A is enabled to utilizethe operational panel P by connecting the communications cable 26 to animage processing unit included in a conventional image processingapparatus.

Thus, the display control unit 23 and the operation input control unit24 operate as if they are connected to the operational panel P.

In accordance with such a configuration, the image processing unitsection A analyzes printing data as image information transmitted froman external point such as a server computer 3, a client computer 4, afacsimile apparatus, etc., as well as a command that instructs printing.

The image processing unit section A generates a bit map to printprinting data (i.e., an output image data), and analyzes the command todetermine a printing mode and an operation. The image processing unitsection A receives and operates in accordance with printing data and acommand via the LAN control section 18 or the facsimile control unit 20.

Further, the image processing unit section A transfers printing datastored in the SDRAM 14 and HDD 17, document reading data, output imagedata processed for output use, and compression data generated bycompressing these data to an external apparatus such as a sever computer3, a client computer 4, a facsimile, etc.

Further, the image processing unit section A transfers image data readby the image reading apparatus 8 to the image processing control unit10, and corrects signal deterioration caused by an optical system andquantization to a digital signal, and writes the image data in the SRAM14. The image data stored in the SDRAM 14 in this way is converted intooutput image data in the printing control unit 11, and is output to theprinting apparatus 7.

Now, the information processing unit section B employing the operationalpanel P is described in detail with reference to FIG. 3 again.

The information processing unit section B is formed from a microcomputercontrolled by a multipurpose OS (Operational System), which is generallyused in an information processing apparatus called a personal computer.The information processing unit section B includes a CPU 31 serving as amain processor, a memory unit 32 formed from a RAM, which provides aworking space for the CPU 31, and a ROM, which is connected to the CPU31 via a bus and stores a start up program or the like as a read onlymemory. Also included and connected to the CPU 31 via the bus is amemory apparatus control unit 35 to control inputting and outputting ofdata to and from the memory apparatus 34 such as a HDD, which stores anOS, application program, and so on.

Further included and connected to the CPU 31 is a LAN control section 33serving as a communications interface, which connects the informationprocessing unit section B to the LAN 2 via the hub 19. An IP addressassigned to the LAN control section 33 as a network address is differentfrom that assigned to the LAN control section 18 of the above-mentionedimage processing unit section A.

Specifically, two IP addresses are assigned to the multifunctionalproduct 1 according to the preferred embodiment.

Stated differently, both of the image and information processingsections A and B are connected to the LAN 2, and are enabled tocommunicate data with each other.

Since the multifunctional product 1 is connected to the LAN 2 via thehub 19, it appears as if only one IP address is assigned. Accordingly,the aesthetics are not spoiled, and wire connection or the like can beimplemented easier.

Further, the display control unit 36 that controls the operational panelP and the operation input control unit 37 are connected to the CPU 31.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operational panel P includes a display apparatus40, formed from an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and an operation inputapparatus 41. The operation input apparatus 41 includes a touch panel 41a, which employs a supersonic elastic wave system or the like laminatedon the surface of the display apparatus 40, and a keyboard 41 b having aplurality of keys.

The keyboard 41 b includes a start key for declaring commencement ofimage reading, ten pad keys allowing numeric input, a reading conditionsetting key for setting a transmission destination of read image data,and so on.

Specifically, again in FIG. 3, the display control unit 36 outputs animage display control signal to the display apparatus 40 via a controlpanel interface 38 and controls the display apparatus 40 to displayprescribed items in accordance with the image display control signal.Further, an operation input control unit 37 receives function settingsfrom an operator through the operation input apparatus 41 as well as aninput control signal generated in accordance with an inputting operationvia the control panel interface 38.

In addition, a control panel communication unit 39, which is connectedto the control panel interface 25 via the communication cable 26, isconnected to the CPU 31. The control panel communication unit 39receives an image display control signal from the image processing unitsection A, and transfers function settings from an operator through theoperational panel P, as well as an input control signal generated inaccordance with an inputting operation to the image processing unitsection A.

The image display control signal then undergoes data conversionprocessing for use in the display apparatus 40, and is output to thedisplay control unit 36. Further, function settings through theoperational panel P and an input control signal, generated in accordancewith an inputting operation, undergo data conversion processing to be ina format suitable for a specification in the image processing unitsection A, and are then input to the control panel communication unit39.

As mentioned above, operation systems and application programs areimplemented by the CPU 31 and stored in the memory apparatus 34. Thus,the memory apparatus 34 functions as a memory medium that storesapplication programs.

When a user turns on and supplies power to this multifunctional product1, the CPU 31 initiates the start up program of the memory unit 32, andreads and stores OS of the memory apparatus 34 in the RAM, therebystarting the OS. The OS starts programs and reads and preservesinformation in accordance with operations of a user. Series of Windows(TM (herein below the same)) are employed as an OS. Further, anoperational program running on these operation systems is called anapplication program. An OS operating in the information processing unitsection B is the same sort to that operating in an image processingapparatus, such as a server computer 3, a client computer 4, etc., andaccordingly is a multipurpose OS (e.g. Windows, etc.).

Further, the above-mentioned external media input/output apparatus 9includes one of a flexible disc drive apparatus, an optical disc driveapparatus, a MO drive apparatus, a media drive apparatus, or the like,to read and write program code and image data from and to a memorymedium M, such as a flexible disc, a hard disk, an optical disc (e.g. aCD-ROM, a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-ROM, a DVDRAM, a DVD-R, a DVD+R, DVD-RW,A DVD+RW), an optical disc (MO), a semiconductor media, etc., whichstores operation systems, various device drivers, various program codes(control programs), such as an application program, image data, etc. Aninput output device control unit 42 connected to the CPU 31 via a buscontrols the external media input/output apparatus 9.

Accordingly, an application program to be stored in the memory apparatus34 can be one recorded in the memory medium M and installed therefrom.Thus, the memory medium M serves as a memory medium that stores anapplication program. Further, the application program can be externallytaken in and installed in the memory apparatus 34 via the Internet 6 andthe LAN 2, for example.

Various interfaces 43, such as USB, IEEE1394, SCSI, etc., are connectedto the input output device control unit 42, and allow connections ofvarious instruments, such as a digital camera, etc., to the input/outputdevice control unit 42.

Hereinbelow, typical operations executed in the multifunctional product1 will now be described.

Since the image and information processing unit sections A and B areenabled to execute different operations, independently, the informationprocessing unit section B can receive an electronic mail even when theimage processing unit section A is reading an image. Since respectiveoperations do not affect one another, no problem occurs even if theseimage and information processing unit sections A and B independentlyoperate.

However, each of the functions and its result of the image processingunit section A can be used and processed by a program that operates inthe information processing unit section B.

For example, text documents sometimes are obtained by processingdocument image data, which is read by the image reading apparatus 8,using prescribed character recognition software. To execute suchprocessing, a background multifunctional product is necessitated totransmit data as a processing objective to an external computer (e.g. aPC) including character recognition software to cause the data to beprocessed by the computer. Otherwise, the image-processing unit sectionA needs to provide character recognition software running in the imageprocessing control unit 10.

As one of problems possibly caused in such situations, processing cannotbe executed as needed unless the external computer is always provided inthe former situation. Further, running the multipurpose applicationsoftware in a system, which is specialized in processing an image,decreases a primary processing performance expected to a multifunctionalproduct in the latter situation. Also, private software development isneeded in the latter situation, because most commercially availablesoftware, such as a word processor, a voice recognition, etc., cannotoperate in relation to an operating system.

To resolve such problems, a commercially available OS 58 such as Windowsas shown in FIG. 5 is employed and operates in the informationprocessing unit section B to avoid an adverse influence from anoperation of the image processing unit section A.

However, if the both are always mutually independently operating fromone another, the above-mentioned goal cannot be achieved. Then,according to the multifunctional product 1, functions of the imageprocessing unit section A can be utilized by running a program that isformed by combining processing modules as illustrated in FIG. 5.

A processing module will be now described with reference to FIG. 5.

As shown, modules of the image processing control system 51 includes aprogram that controls primary functions of the multifunctional product1. The multifunctional product 1 includes an interface that interfaceswith a networking function module 52, which can be accessed via anetwork (LAN 2) only from the information processing unit section B.

The networking function module 52 enables usage of a function, such as ascanning function, a facsimile receiving function, etc., which isincluded in an ordinary multifunctional product to be executed by theimage processing control system 51, via the network (LAN 2). However,the networking function module 52 cannot be used from the imageprocessing unit section A.

The networking function module 52 is designed such that a processingmodule having a corresponding function starts when the TCP/IP(Transmission Control Protocol/Internet protocol) 53 detects a requestfor connection to a corresponding port number.

For example, when a request for connection to a port number 1002 occurs,a module with a facsimile communications function starts. The modulestarts and operates in cooperation with a processing request sent from aconnection requesting origin, and returns a necessary response.

Now, a feature of a program used in the information processing unitsection B will be described with a keyword generating application 54 asone example.

The keyword generating application 54 applies character recognitionprocessing to read image data and creates a keyword based upon thecharacter recognition result.

The entire information processing unit section B is operated by each ofapplications under control of the OS 58.

Further, each of the application software is a module formed from a partof software and uses various functions provided by the OS 58.Specifically, each of them is called out and is controlled to executenecessary processing by program. A TCP/IP control module 59 executes afunction included in the OS 58 as a standard attachment to communicatewith other terminal apparatuses connected via the TCP/IP 53.

Further, independent software, which is built-in to be used by the otherapplications, can be used. For example, an OCR engine 57 only appliescharacter recognition processing to image data. It is used as one ofparts (i.e., a module) of the other software without operating byitself.

Thus, since each of application programs operate under control of the OS58 in the entire information processing unit section B, applicationprograms can be developed while combining one or a plurality of thesefunctions.

However, an existing technology cannot directly use a function of animage processing unit section A with such a device.

To address that situation, the multifunctional product 1 employs theimage processing unit section A to execute an original function of amultifunctional product, as well as the information processing unitsection B, which is internally connected to the image processing unitsection A via the network (i.e., LAN 2), to execute an application usingthe network protocol (TCP/IP 53).

Since the connection is only physically achieved, a function of theimage processing unit section A cannot be used from an inside ofapplication software that runs in the information processing unitsection B, even if data can be mutually communicated between the imageand information processing unit sections A and B simply using theexisting technology.

Now, a device capable of using a function of the image processing unitsection A from an inside application software, which operates in theinformation processing unit section B, will be described.

For example, image data read from the image reading apparatus 8controlled by the image processing unit section A can be a characterrecognition objective when a keyword generating application software 54operates.

To instruct the image reading apparatus 8 to read an image, a TCP/IPconnection request is to be sent to the image processing unit section Awhile designating a port number 1001. Further, data indicative ofprocessing contents is simultaneously transmitted in a data stream. Afunction designated by the port number 1001 represents that the imagereading apparatus 8 reads an image, and an optional file name isassigned to the read image data, and is transferred to the informationprocessing unit section B. Such processing details are predetermined,and port numbers are assigned to them to be used separately.

In this way, functions of the image processing unit section A can beused by the keyword generating application 54.

Further, other systems can be used as a communications protocol besidethe TCP/IP.

Now, the multifunctional product 1 fundamentally includes variousfunctions of scanning, media, document and page browsing, imageprocessing, form synthesizing, transmitting and storing, printing,optical card reading, retrieving, making a facsimile, acting as mail andWeb servers, periodically executing, system monitoring, achievingsecurity, career and status displaying, and personal and administratoruse setting, or the like.

The scanning function reads and transmits a sheet original document in aform of an image file as a mail, a facsimile, or a file transmission(e.g. Windows sharing folder, FTP and Web folders, external server).Otherwise, it can be internally stored.

The media browser function can browse various files stored in the memorymedium M. When set on the network as (hypothetical) sharing medias inthe personal setting, FTP and Web folders or the like can be browsed ina similar operation executed to a media.

Further, the document browser function can operate and browse a block ofdocument files, such as a general document storage (e.g. a temporarystorage), a reception mail (a storage of images attached to a receptionmail), a reception facsimile (a facsimile image storage), etc. Adocument administrative function is included and can change and delete aname and a document, respectively. The storage documents allow retrievalof an OCR character within an image, and download from the Web or thelike.

Further, the page browser function exists in a storage document screenor a screen for confirming a transmission/printing (read/selection)image to display an image included in a HDD of the multifunctionalproduct. The page browser function can execute transmitting, storing,and a selection function for selecting and printing an image file, aswell as inspecting and editing various information of a file.

The image processing function includes an automatic image processingfunction of enabling image processing before transmission, storage, andprinting. The automatic image processing function enables qualitycorrection, rotation, color subtraction, clipping, blank removal of animage, and so on.

Further, the form synthesizing function selects positional information(e.g. a form) having a background, to which a text or an image isattached, and synthesizes and creates a new image before thetransmission, storage, and printing. A transmission image and a printingsubject can be formed with various layouts in cooperation with aform-creating tool.

Further, the transmission and storage function can transmit an image anda file obtained by scanning a sheet original document or selected bymedia, document, and page browsers to a designated destination, asharing/FTP/Web folder on a network, and an external server,respectively, by mail or facsimile. When stored, an image undergoes OCRand a line string retrieval. Such an image can be downloaded from a Web.

The printing function prints out an image and a file selected by themedia and document browsers while designating various layouts.

Further, the OCR function extracts a text by applying OCR to an image byscanning a sheet original document and a reception facsimile image. TheOCR function includes functions of forming, transmitting, and storing aPDF file (i.e., an image PDF plus an OCR) to which a text is embedded,an OCR text retrieving function exerted at a time of storage, and an OCRdestination/document name function that uses a character string giventhe OCR as a destination/document name. An OCR destination can beselected if having an OCR character string in a designated region inaccordance with a registration destination. The OCR character string ina designated region is regarded as the OCR document name.

The retrieving function extracts and displays a file, such as animage/file stored or existing on the network based on a keyword, such asa document name/a file name, storage date/change date, an OCR text, etc.An objective of OCR text retrieval is a character string created whenthe OCR is applied to an image.

The facsimile function creates an image file from a reception imageinformation received from three facsimile ports (i.e., facsimilecommunication ports; G3-1, G3-2, G4-1), which are provided by themultifunctional product 1. The facsimile function then stores,distributes, and transmits the image file as a mail transfer or filetransfer, or the like. A transmitting origin and a destination of areception facsimile is distributed in accordance with initial settingand a reception port, respectively. The facsimile function alsotransmits an image file created from a sheet original document, a media,and a storage by facsimile. Further, the facsimile function transfers animage attached to a reception mail to another facsimile apparatus.

The mail server function includes various functions of transmitting amail, internally generating and maintaining guest and personal use mailaddresses (at a time of setting SMTP), automatically printing an imageattached to a reception mail, transferring a facsimile, performingtransmission and storage by a one touch button operation, and returningan operation result mail to a transmitter.

Some operational combinations of reception mail addresses are providedas defaults per a guest/person, and setting and changing thereof areexecuted by the personal setting.

Since a mail address display name is assigned to a mail address of anexternal mail server when POP reception is set, a similar operation canbe performed to when the SMTP is set. To manage various mailenvironments, SMTP authorization and “POP before SMTP” modes areemployed in mail transmission. APOP is employed for mail reception.

The Web server function provides URLs for guests and persons, browses,retrieves, downloads, uploads, transmits, stores, and prints internallystored images or files. Further, the Web server function refers to anoperation result, and sets person and administrator settings. The Webserver function handles SSL server authorization while giving securityduring communications.

The periodical executing function deletes storage of preservationoverdue, receives a POP mail, updates LDAP, automatically prints anddeletes career, and automatically restarts.

The system monitoring function detects abnormality occurring at a discfull or within an apparatus interior, as well as tray or door openinformation and sheet jam or the like. The system monitoring functionthen displays a screen having status messages or the like (e.g. aservice person call (a screen)). The system monitoring function dealswith an accounting apparatus that monitors and restricts usage of auser.

To protect data from an unfair manipulation of a chance user (e.g. aguest user) and that through an external network, the security functionachieves security, such as a personal authorization, an administratorpassword, a mail transmission authorization, APOP, Web's SLL serverauthorization, access restriction, etc., for an operation section userand the network.

Further, a career/condition display function confirms if results ofcommunications of a mail, a facsimile, and a file, and printing arenormal, as well as a date of execution/completion. Further confirmed bythe career/condition display function is execution of job cancellation,and contents of an error occurring at the time of execution.

Further, a personal setting function enables registration of anenvironmental setting, such as destination registration of a mailaddress, customizing of a screen/operation, setting of a reception mailaddress, etc., per a person while preventing the other person fromfinding a usage environment of a personal user. A number of personspossible to be set are, e.g., a thousand.

Further, an administrator use setting function executes varioussettings, such as a network setting function, a time setting function,an automatic restarting time setting function, for a guest user, afundamental function used when each of the functions is operated, and anadministrative function, such as a user administration function, a mailenvironment setting function, a reception facsimile setting function,etc.

To realize such various functions, the information processing unit Bincludes, as shown in FIG. 6, “personal setting information” regionscapable of registering a thousand of personal setting information (#1 to#N), and an administrator use setting information region capable ofregistering “guest” and “system setting information”.

Now, exemplary information of personal setting, guest setting, andsystem setting are now specifically described. Since contents of theguest setting information are essentially the same as those of thepersonal setting information, only different portions are described forclarity.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the personal setting information includes “personalinformation” for identifying a person, “registration information” forregistering a mail destination per a person, “preset information” forregistering various condition setting information per a person,“personal system setting information” for preserving initial setting orthe like used when the multifunctional product 1 is used, and “securityinformation” for registering information related to security.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the personal information includes “Kana”, a “name”,a “belonging section”, a “user ID” for identifying each person, a“password” used in authorization, and a “sender's mail address”, or thelike

Only a name unique in a system of the multifunctional product 1 can beset. For example, the name is used as a title of a personal menu andforms a character string representing each user.

The user ID is used when an operation starts and a guest menu (e.g. aninitial setting condition) transits to a personal menu. The user ID isalso used in a personal menu use URL (e.g. http://name/user ID) of aWeb, as well as a reception mail address (e.g. print. user ID@ hostname. domain name) or the like.

The sender's mail address is a character string set in a so called “fromfield” at the time of mail transmission, and is automatically set as adefault in response to setting of mail reception protocol ofadministrator use setting.

For example, when mail reception protocol is set to POP or APOP, a“(personal information) name, sender. User ID<POP mail address” is setas a default sender's mail address.

When the mail reception protocol is SMTP, a “(personal information)name, sender. user ID@ host name. domain name” is set as a defaultsender's mail address.

The “sender” is a default value (as mentioned later in detail) of areception mail address of “01” error mail of a reception mailbox.Accordingly, when an error mail is transferred due to an unknowndestination after mail transmission, the error mail is stored in anerror mail portion of the reception mailbox.

As shown in FIG. 8A, registration information includes a hundred ofcases of “mail destination” used when an electronic mail is transmitted,a hundred of cases of “facsimile (fax) destination” used when afacsimile is transmitted, a hundred of cases of “group destination”, ahundred of cases of “file destination” used when a file is transmitted,a hundred of cases of case names set in a so called “subject field”, ora “case name/body text” set to a body context of an electronic mail, anda hundred of cases of “document name/user name”.

As shown in FIG. 8B, the mail destination includes a “name” to identifya “mail address”, a “mail address”, a “belonging section”, and“transmission option designation” (do, do not). When the “transmissionoption destination” is set as positive (i.e., do), “Internet facsimile(fax) transmission” representing if an Internet facsimile is transmittedor not, a “SMTP server designating transmission” used when a SMTP serveris designated, a “mail transmission authorization” (do, do not) thatrepresents if authorization is executed or not when a mail istransmitted, and an “OCR destination designation” (do, do not) areincluded.

When the “mail transmission authorization” is set as positive, an“authorization type”, an “authorization POP server address”, an“authorization user name”, and an “authorization password” are included.

Every file attached to mail destinations with a positive setting of theInternet facsimile transmission is converted into a network facsimileuse image (TIFF-F) before transmission.

When the “OCR destination designation” is set as positive, and OCRcauses an error or nothing hits in retrieving the address book, adocument is transmitted to a registration mail address.

A mail destination can be registered in a mail address book by beingobtained from a mail server by LDAP using an open address book function.

The facsimile destination includes a “name” to identify a facsimiledestination, a “facsimile number (fax no.)”, a “belonging section”, anda “transmission option designation” (do, do not) as shown in FIG. 8C.

The same value cannot be registered in a personal facsimile destinationfor “the name (a personal destination)”.

When the “transmission option designation” is set as positive, a“transmission port name”, and an “OCR destination designation” (do, donot) are included. When the “OCR destination designation” is set aspositive, and OCR causes an error or nothing hit in the address book, adocument is transmitted to a registration mail address.

As shown in FIG. 8D, the group destination includes a “name” foridentifying a group destination, and a “mail address” capable ofreceiving registrations of at least one mail destination name.

The same value of the “name” (group) cannot be registered in a personalgroup destination. Further, the same mail destination cannot beregistered in one group.

As shown in FIG. 8E, the file destination includes a “name” foridentifying a file destination, a “network path” to which a value of anetwork path to be used when a file is transmitted to a Windowssharing/FTP/HTTP (e.g. an external server) folder on the network isregistered, a “log in user name”, a “login password”, and a “subfoldername selection” to which a subfolder name to be formed in a hostapparatus of a file destination is registered, and a “communicationsoption designation” (do, do not).

When the “communications option designation” is positively set, a “FTPJapanese mode” (e.g. Sift JIS, EUC), a “FTP data transfer mode” (e.g.PORT mode, PASV mode), and an “OCR destination designation” areincluded.

A “network path” can include a local path as shown in FIG. 9B beside thenetwork path shown in FIG. 9A

An “external server plug-in” represents a function of transmitting afile to an external server and a sharing media designation in a similarimagery to a scheme of file, ftp, and http(s) in relation to variousexternal servers without feeling a difference between interfaces.

“Compact flash”, “Smart media”, “SD memory card”, and “Memory stick” aretrademarks (TM) owned by suppliers, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 9C, a case name/body context includes a “case name” ora “body context”, to which a character string used as a case name or abody context of a mail is registered.

As shown in FIG. 9D, a document/user name includes a “document name”, towhich a character string used as a document name at a time of storage isregistered, an “OCR” (do, do not), and a “user name”, to which a formatcharacter string used as a user name or a document name, when a file istransmitted, is registered.

When the “OCR” is positively set and is fault, a registered documentname is used.

As shown in FIG. 10A, preset information includes twelve readingconditions, twelve image processing conditions, twentytransmission/storage condition one touch buttons, twenty printingcondition one touch buttons, twelve mail boxes, twelve sharing mediaaddresses, and twelve file transmission addresses.

Such reading conditions, image processing conditions, and filetransmission link addresses correspond to contents registered to presetbuttons displayed on an operation screen. The transmission/storage andthe printing condition correspond to contents registered throughone-touch buttons also displayed on the operation screen. The receptionmailbox, the sharing media address, and the file transmission linkaddress are contents to be registered through a button icon displayed onthe operation screen.

When each of the respective presetting and one touch buttons and buttonicons are operated, each of contents registered through those is appliedto activity of an applicable operation objective and the activity ispracticed.

As shown in FIG. 10B, a reading condition includes a “name” foridentifying a reading condition on a preset button, an “icon” fordesignating an icon for display of a thumbnail image of a readingcondition on a preset button, a “display/absence” for designating if areading condition is displayed (when displayed, designation of adisplaying manner is included), an “original document type” (e.g. a monochrome character or a picture, a gray scale, a full-color) fordesignating a type of an original document, an “image quality”(selectable from nine steps of from compression priority to imagequality priority) for designating a reading image quality, a“resolution” (100, 200, 300, 400, and 600 dpis) for designating areading resolution, a “reading density” (automatic density or one ofseven grades of manual density) for designating a reading density, a“reading size” (e.g. automatic size detection, a standard size, anon-standard size) for designating a reading range on a read originaldocument, a “standard size”, an “amorphous form”, a “frame erase” (do,do not) for designating a condition that a frame area of a reading rangedesignated in view of a reading size is erased, and a “duplex reading”for designating if a duplex reading is executed.

When the “reading size” has a value other than the “automatic sizedetection”, a designated value is set to the next “standard size” or the“amorphous form”.

As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an image processing condition includes a“name” for identifying an image processing condition on the presetbutton, an “icon” for designating an icon for display of a thumbnailimage of the image processing condition on the preset button, a“display/absence” for designating if an image processing condition isdisplayed (when displayed, designation of a displaying manner isincluded), an “image quality correction” (do, do not) for designating ifan image quality is corrected, a “rotation” (do, do not) for designatingif an image is rotated, a “color subtraction/into monochrome process”(do, do not) for designating if color subtraction or monochrome processis executed, a “clipping” (do, do not) for designating if an image isclipped, and a “white sheet removal” for designating if a white sheet isremoved.

When the “image quality correction” is positively set, a “page numberdesignation” for designating a page number to which image qualitycorrection is applied, and an “automatic image quality correction”(automatic, manual) for setting a content of image quality correctionare included. When the “manual” is set to the “automatic image qualitycorrection”, “brightness”, “contrast”, “clearness”, and “hue” serving asimage quality correction items are included.

When the “rotation” is positively set, a “page number designation” fordesignating a page number to which a rotation processing is applied, anda “rotational direction” for designating a rotational direction areincluded.

Further, when the “color subtraction/into monochrome” is positively set,a “page number designation” for designating a page number to which acolor subtraction or monochrome process is applied, a “number of colors”for designating a number of colors remaining after color is subtracted,a “dropout color” (non-color, red, blue, green, color) for designating adropout color, a “subtract only character color” for designating if onlya character color is subtracted or monochrome processing is applied, anda “resolution without character” (e.g. 1/1, 1/2, 1/4) for designating ifresolution of an image, which has undergone the color subtraction, ischanged are included.

When the “clipping” is positively set, a “page number designation” fordesignating a page number to which clipping processing is applied, a“clip region” (selected from among form data of existing and thatpreserved by designating a region of a read or selected image) fordesignating an image region in which clipping processing is performed,an “original image” (e.g. leave over/not leave over, addition before orafter an original image) for designating a processing of the originalimage, and a “resolution of original image” (1/1, 1/2, 1/4) fordesignating resolution of the original image when the original image areleft over.

When the “white sheet removal” is positively set, a “page numberdesignation” for designating a page number to which white sheet removalprocessing is applied is included.

As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a transmission/storage condition onetouch button includes a “name” for identifying a transmission/storagecondition on a one-touch button, a “character size” for designating acharacter size to be applied when a name is displayed on a one touchbutton, an “icon” for designating an icon for displaying a thumbnailimage of the transmission/storage conditions on the one touch button, a“display/absence” for designating if transmission/storage one touchbutton is displayed (including designation of a displaying manner, whendisplayed), one to a hundred of “address” including at least onedestination address used in mail transmission, a “case name” havingregistration of a case name used in mail transmission, a “body context”having registration of contents of a body text used in mailtransmission, a “storage” (do/do not, open/not open) for designating ifa document is stored and open, a “document name” having registration ofa document name used in storing a document, a “user name” havingregistration of a user name required to obtain authorization when astorage document is referred to, a “password” having registration of apassword required to obtain authorization when a storage document isreferred to, a “fracturing storage” (e.g. do (including a number ofpages), do not) for designating if divisional storage is executed whenthe document is stored, a “thumbnail designation” (do (including anumber of pages and regional designation), do not) for designating if apage number and an image region are designated, a “destination” havingregistration of a destination used in transmitting a facsimile, a“document name” having registration of a document name used intransmitting a facsimile, a “transmission option designation” (do, donot) for designating if transmission option is designated or not, a“reading condition” for designating a reading condition when an image isformed, information of an “image processing condition” for designatingan image processing condition when an image is formed, and a“transmission/storage form designation” (do (selected from form data),do not) for designating if a form used at times of transmission andstorage is designated or not.

When the “transmission option designation” is positively set, a “filetype” (no change, an image file, an image PDF, an image PDF+OCR) fordesignating if a file type is changed, and “link transmission” (do, donot) for representing if link transmission is applied are included.

When the “link transmission” is positively set, a “link type” (adocument storage link, a file transmission link (selected from filetransmission link addresses)), a “thumbnail transmission” (do, do not)for representing if a thumbnail image is transmitted, and a “fileintegration” (do, do not) for representing if transmission files areintegrated in a package and are additionally included. When the “fileintegration” is positively set, all transmission files are compressed byapplying a prescribed decoding compression technique when mail orfacsimile transmission is performed.

When the “transmission/storage form designation” is positively set, a“file name” (do, do not) representing if a file name receivesform-combination, a “file date” (do, do not) representing if a file datereceives form-combination, and a “personal name” (do, do not)representing if a personal name receives form-combination are included.

As shown in FIG. 13, the print condition one touch button includes a“name” for identifying a printing condition on a one-touch button, a“character size” for designating a character size to be applied when aname is displayed on a one-touch button, an “icon” for designating anicon for display a thumbnail image of a printing condition on theone-touch button, a “display/absence” for designating if a printingcondition one touch button is displayed (including designation of adisplaying manner when displayed), a “printing type” (layout printing,repeat printing) for designating a printing type and an “originaldocument type” (full-color, monochrome, twin color (black and magenta,black and cyan), for designating a color, an “image qualitypriority/speed priority” for designating one of image quality priorityand speed priority when printing, a “duplex printing” (do (horizontal orvertical page alignment), do not) for designating if a duplex printingis performed, a “sort/stack” for designating a sorting process afterprinting, a “punch” (do (left side two, upside two, right side two), donot) for designating a punch processing after printing, a “staple” (leftupper side, right upper side, center, left side two, upper side two,right side two, absence), for designating a stapling processing afterprinting, a “sheet selection” (automatic sheet selection, selection fromselectable sheet sizes) for designating a printing sheet, an “imageprocessing condition” for designating an image processing condition whenprinting, and a “print form designation” (do (selected from form data),do not) for designating a printing form.

Further when the “print form designation” is positively set, a “filename” (do, do not) for representing if a file name receivesform-combination, a “file date” (do, do not) for representing if a filedate receives form-combination, and a “personal name” (do, do not) forrepresenting if a personal name receives form combination are included.

When the “print type” is the “repeat printing” substantially the sameimage is used as an insertion image on a form. A “Do” cannot be selectedfor the “punch” when a finisher is not attached. A number of holesdepends upon a type of the finisher. The “staple” is only available whena number of sheets is more than two, and cannot be selected when afinisher is not attached. A central binding depends upon a type of thefinisher. Further, a sheet size selected on a printing detail-settingscreen is registered through a one-touch button as a “sheet selection”.

As shown in FIG. 14A, a reception mail box includes a “name” foridentifying a reception mail box, an “icon” for designating an icon fordisplaying a thumbnail image of the reception mailbox, an “account name”to which an account name using the reception mailbox is registered, a“transmission/storage” to which a “do” is only set for a later mentionedstorage mail box, a “facsimile (fax) transmission” to which a “do” isonly set for a later mentioned facsimile mailbox, a “printing” to whicha “do” is only set for a later mentioned print mail box, a “coveringletter form designation” (do, do not) to which “do not” is fixedly setfor a later mentioned error mail box, plural “do”s are set for the latermentioned facsimile and print mail boxes, and a selection value is setto the other mail boxes, a “result returning mail” (do, do not) to which“do not” is set for the error mail box, and selection values are set forthe other mail boxes, a “setting to reception facsimile (fax) transferdestination” to which “do” is only set for a storage mailbox, and plural“do not”s are set for the other mail boxes.

As shown in FIG. 14B, the “name” is a system default. Specifically, anerror mail (an error mail box; for receiving an electronic error mailsuch as a distribution error report, etc.), a facsimile (fax) mail (afacsimile mail box; wherein a reception mail is regarded as a facsimiletransfer use mail), a print mail (a printing mail box; wherein areception mail is regarded as a printing use mail, and accordinglycontents of which and a file attached thereto are printed out), and astorage mail (a storage mail box; wherein a reception mail is regardedas a storage use mail, and accordingly contents of which and a fileattached thereto are stored) are set to the respective reception mailboxes “01” to “04”. System default values for the remaining receptionmail boxes “05” to “12” are “empty”, and a user can set optional value.

As shown in FIG. 14C, the “account name” is a system default.Specifically, respective “sender”, “fax”, “print”, and “store” are setin those boxes so that functions of the respective reception mail boxes“01” to “04” can be clearly noted. The remaining reception mail boxes“05” to “12” have system default values representing “empty” waiting foroptional setting from a user.

Further, the “account name” needs a unique character string for each ofreception mailboxes per personal setting. A mail address is a ““displayname”, <<account name=parameter. user ID@ identification name. hostname. domain name>>”. The parameter includes a telephone number, in acase of facsimile transmission, a number of sheets (one when omitted),in a case of printing, and is not used in a case of file transmission.

A practically usable SMTP/POP reception mail address is indicated on asetting/storage screen button.

As for a “transmission/storage”, a transmission/storage form can bedesignated by operating the transmission/storage condition one touchbutton, and is stored in a “general document” storage. Further, a“reception mail” is always stored on conditions that it is notdisclosure, a document name is used as a case name, and a password isexcluded.

As for a “facsimile (fax) transmission”, a facsimile destinationextracted from parameter of “To mail destination” is automatically addedto a mail destination of a designated “transmission/storage conditionpreset”.

As for a “printing”, a printing form can be designated using a printcondition one-touch button.

As for a “covering letter form designation”, it is selected from a mailheader or a mail body context insertable form. This form is only usedfor the mail header/body context in the positive situation. It complieswith a text file format as a fundamental setting in the negativesituation. A text file attached to a mail always complies with thefundamental setting.

A “result returning mail” is capable of setting if an output result isreturned by mail. Since an output image is inspectable on a Web, anyfiles are not attached without exception.

A “setting to reception facsimile (fax) transfer destination” canpositively set only for one reception mailbox among twelve. Then, animage is transferred to a user set as a transfer recipient at a time offacsimile reception.

As shown in FIG. 14D, a sharing media address includes a “name” foridentifying a sharing media address, an “icon” for designating an iconfor display of a thumbnail image of a sharing media address, a“display/absence” for designating if a sharing media address isdisplayed (when displayed, designation of a displaying manner isincluded), a “sharing media address” in which an address value selectedfrom a “file destination” as registration information is preserved, anda “file aligning order” (no selection, a name downward or upward order,a date upward or downward order, a size downward or upward order).

When the “file aligning order” is the “no selection”, they are displayedin correspondence with a listing order on the media side. For example,it is listed in a photographing order, or a file name downward order ina case of a digital camera. It is listed in a downward order of anupdated date in compliance with a rule in a case of an external server.In this situation, a new file is displayed at a highest position.

As shown in FIG. 14E, the “file transmission link address” includes a“name” for identifying a file transmission link address, an “icon” fordesignating an icon for display a thumbnail image of the filetransmission link address, a “display/absence” for designating if a filetransmission link address is displayed (when displayed, designation of adisplaying manner is included), a “file transmission destination” fordesignating a file transmission destination address (e.g. an address ata time of uploading), a “transmission link address” for designating alink address designated when a file is transmitted and obtained byanother user, and an “automatic (auto) erase setting” (do (with holdingterm of from one to a hundred and eighty days), do not).

As shown in FIG. 15A, a “personal system setting information” includesseven categories of fundamental, display, reading, communications,storage, printing, and optical character reading (OCR) settings, etc.

As shown in FIG. 15B, a “fundamental setting” includes an “automatic(auto) termination of personal menu” (do (from 0 to 999 seconds), donot) for setting a mode in which a personal menu is automaticallyterminated when an operational condition discontinues, a “settingautomatic (auto) clear time” setting (do (from 10 to 999 seconds), donot) for setting a mode in which a guest menu is automatically clearedwhen an operational condition discontinues, a “coming back to mainscreen after end of operation” (do, do not) for designating if a screenis returned to a main screen when a user completes an operation, a“setting key input/screen touch sound” (do, do not) for designating if akey input sound or a screen touch sound is generated, an “auto inputtingof case name of mail” (do (selected from registered case names), do not)for designating if a mail case name is automatically input when a mailis transmitted, an “auto inputting of mail body context” (do (selectedfrom registered case names), do not) for designating if a mail bodycontext is automatically input when a mail is transmitted, a “text filetype”, a “setting compression at time of conversion into TIFF image” (nocompression, MH, MR, MMR manners) for designating a compression mannerwhen image data is converted into a TIFF format image, a “settingcompression at time of conversion into JPEG image” (one of nine levels)for designating image quality setting when image data is converted intoa JPEG format image, and a “maximum number of colors at time ofconversion into PNG image” (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 colors)for designating the maximum number of colors when image data isconverted into a PNG format image.

As shown in FIG. 16, a display setting includes a “key display colorsetting” for setting a display color of a keyboard displayed on ascreen, a “priority keyboard arrangement” (a QWERTY type, an ABC type)for designating a priority value of a key arrangement of the keyboard,and a “priority Japanese input” (roman letter, kana) for designating apriority value of a Japanese input manner. Also included are a “priorityimage selection display type” (a thumbnail, a list) for designating apriority level of a display manner when an image is selected, a “mainscreen text” for designating a type of a text displayed on the mainscreen, and a “character size” for designating a size of a textdisplayed on the main screen.

Further included are a “character size”, a “name”, an “icon”, a“display/absence” (do (by changing a listing order), do not), a“background color designation” (do (by selecting from 216 Web safecolors), do not), a “background image designation” (do (by selecting animage), do not), and a “displaying manner” juxtaposing display, enlargeddisplay) for each of the three main screens of a “sheet document”, a“media document”, and a “storage document”. Further included are a“priority transmission/storage screen” (a one touch screen, and a detailsetting screen) for designating a screen displayed on atransmission/storage screen by priority and a “priority print screen” (aone touch screen, a detail setting screen) to be displayed by priorityon a printing screen. Still further included are a “display/absence” (do(by changing a listing order), do not), and a “priority setting” forthree transmission/storage tab of a “mail transmission”, a “facsimiletransmission”, and a “file transmission”. Still further included are a“display/absence” (do (by changing a listing order), do not), a“priority setting” for each of four destination selection tabs of a“mail destination”, a “facsimile destination”, a “group destination”,and a “disclosure address book”. Further, “major, middle, and minorclassifications” of CALS-XML classification tag names are included.

As shown in FIG. 17A, a reading setting includes a “monochrome binarycompression setting” (non compression, MR, MH, MMR manners) forindicating a white and black binary compression processing, and a “bookdocument waiting time setting” (do (from 60 to 999 seconds), do not)indicative of setting of a waiting time period of a book type originaldocument.

As shown in FIG. 17B, communications setting includes a “file type”(no-change, an image file, a PDF, image PDF+OCR), a “link transmission”(do (as described below), do not), which is valid only to a maildestination, a “file integration” (do, do not) and a “prioritytransmission/storage form” (existing form)” each for a prioritytransmission option.

When the “link transmission” is given a “do”, a “link type” (a documentstorage link, a file transmission link (selected from file transmissionlink addresses)) and a “thumbnail transmission”, which is alwaystransmitted with an image PDF, are included. A wired transmission optionis validated when a transmission format is not designated by thetransmission/storage condition preset.

The “priority transmission/storage form” is used when atransmission/storage condition one-touch button does not designate atransmission/storage form, and includes a “file name” (do, do not), a“file date” (do, do not), and a “personal name” (do, do not).

As shown in FIG. 17C, a storage setting includes a “divisional storage”(do (a number of pages per segmantalization), do not) as a priorityoption, a “thumbnail designation” (do (designation of a number of pagesand a region), do not), an “accumulation time OCR” (do, do not), a“first file transmission destination” (a primary transmissiondestination) serving as backup setting that sets a location where a copyis made simultaneously at a time of storage, and a “second filetransmission destination” (a secondary primary transmissiondestination).

When the “accumulation time OCR” is positively set, only a generaldocument receives OCR at a time of storage.

As shown in FIG. 18A, print setting includes a “priority print type”(layout print, repeat print), a “priority print color” (full-color,mono-color, black and cyan, black and magenta), and a “priority sheetfeed tray” (automatic sheet selection, trays 1, 2, 3, massive amount ofsheet feeding, manual sheet feeding (sheet size, sheet type)). Alsoincluded are a “sheet size” (when a “priority sheet feeding tray is a“manual sheet feeding”), a “sheet type” (when a “priority sheet feedingtray” is a “manual sheet feeding”), and a “priority print form”(prescribed form). Further included are a “lightness” (from −50% to+50%) as color printing adjustment, a “contrast” (from −50% to +50%),and a “brightness” (from −50% to +50%). Still further included are a“red balance” (from −50% to +50%), a “green balance” (from −50% to+50%), and a “blue balance” (from −50% to +50%).

When a form data is selected by the “priority print form”, a “file name”(do, do not), a “file date” (do, do not), and a “personal name” (do, donot) are included.

As shown in FIG. 18B, an OCR setting includes an “OCR recognitiondirection” (automatic, horizontal writing, vertical writing,horizontal/vertical writing, one paragraph horizontal writing, oneparagraph vertical writing), an “OCR recognition language” (auto,Japanese, English), an “OCR recognition document” (auto, a document, achart), and an “OCR recognition maximum character size” (from 6 pt(point; a unit of character size) to 64 pt).

As shown in FIG. 19A, a security includes a “network accessrestriction”, a “mail transmission authorization”, and an “accessauthority setting”.

As shown in FIG. 19B, the network access restriction includes twenty“HTTP access restrictions” (do (HTTP access restriction setting; IPaddress), do not), and twenty “SMTP/POP access restrictions” (do(SMTP/POP access restriction setting), do not).

When the “do not” is assigned to the “HTTP access restriction” and the“SMTP/POP access restriction”, administrator setting contents areapplied to those.

As shown in FIG. 19C, the mail transmission authorization includes a“mail transmission authorization” (do, do not) for designating ifauthorization information is set per person, an “authorization system”(SMTP authorization, POP authorization), an “authorization POP serveraddress” (only in a case of POP authorization), an “authorization username” (a user name in a case of SMTP/POP authorization), and an“authorization password” (at a time of password SMTP/POP authorization)when the “do” is set to the “mail transmission authorization”.

As shown in FIG. 19D, the access authority setting includes an“authorization segmentation” (an administrator, a general user), an“authorization restriction” (do, do not), a “file transmission”(allowance, rejection), a “multi-color print” (allowance, rejection),and an “administrator use user code”.

When the “do” is set to the “authorization restriction”, a “copy”(allowance, rejection), a “document box” (allowance, rejection), a“facsimile (fax)” (allowance, rejection), a “printer” (allowance,rejection), a “scanner” (allowance, rejection), a “mail transmission”, a“document accumulation”, and an “automatic (auto) erase setting”(allowance, rejection) are included.

When the “allowance” is set to the “document accumulation”, a“designation of capacity per person” (do (from 0.1 GB to 99.9 GB), donot), and an “automatic input of accumulation document password” (do, donot) are included.

When the “allowance” is set to the “automatic (auto) erase setting”, a“general document” (do (storing 1 to 180 days), do not)), a “receptionmail” (do (storing 1 to 180 days), do not)), and a “yet transmittedtray” (do (storing 1 to 180 days), do not)) are included.

As shown in FIG. 20A, system setting information includes fivecategories of network, mail, facsimile, and file communicationssettings, as well as a system administration.

As shown in FIGS. 20B and 20C, the network setting includes a “hostname”, a “domain name”, an “IP address”, a “subnet mask”, a “gatewayaddress”, a “1st DNS sever address” (an IP address of a primary DNSserver), a “2nd DNS sever address” (an IP address of a secondary DNSserver), a “proxy sever setting” (do, do not), a “SSL (Secure SocketsLayer) encryption” (do, do not), a “port number setting” (do, do not), a“printer IP address”, a “LAN (Ethernet) speed” (automatic setting, 10Mbps with fixed full duplex, 100 Mbps with fixed full duplex, 10 Mbpswith fixed half duplex, 100 Mbps with fixed half duplex), and a“physical address” (MAC address).

When the “do” is set to the “proxy sever setting”, a “proxy serveraddress”, a “proxy server port no.”, a “virgin proxy address”, a “username”, and a “password” are included.

When the “do” is set to the “SSL encryption”, an “ISO country code”, a“prefecture name”, a “city name”, a “company name/organization name”, a“department name/organization name/belonging section name”, a “servername” (initially, a host name), an “administrator mail address”, and a“valid term” are included.

When the “do” is set to the “port number setting”, a “SMTP transmission”(25 as an initial value), a “SMTP reception” (25 as an initial value; 0to 65535), a “POP” (10 as an initial value; 0 to 65535), a “FTP” (21 asan initial value; 0 to 65535), a “HTTP” (80 as an initial value; 0 to65535), a “HTTPS” (443 as an initial value; 0 to 65535), and a “LDAP”(389 as an initial value; 0 to 65535) are included.

When a “zero” is set as a port number of the “SMTP transmission”, theSMTP transmission function cannot be used.

As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, a mail setting includes a “SMTP server IPaddress”, a “mail reception protocol” (SMTP, POP3, APOP), a “POP mailaddress”, a “POP server address”, a “POP account name”, a “POPpassword”, a “POP mail reception interval”, a “POP mail rule transferdestination” (a reception mail address of guest setting information), a“using disclosed address book (do, do not), a “mail transmissionauthorization” (do, do not), a “transmission size restriction” (do, donot), a “transmission interval” (0 to 99 seconds), a “retransmissioninterval” (0 to 99 seconds), and a “number of retransmissions” (0 to 99times).

When the “do” is set to the “using disclosed address book”, a “firstLDAP server address”, an “identification name”, a “second LDAP serveraddress”, an “identification name”, and an “automatic updating ofdisclosed address book” (do (a unit of 10 minutes), do not) areincluded.

When the “do” is set to the “mail transmission authorization”, an“authorization system” (SMTP authorization, POP auth), an “authorizationPOP server address”, an “authorization user name”, and an “authorizationpassword” are included.

When the “do” is set to the “transmission size restriction”, a “maximumsize” (1 to 20 MB), and a “mail division” (do (a number ofsegmentalization; 2 to 99), do not) are included.

Facsimile setting is used to set a function of transfer distribution (amail or a file transfer destination) at a time of reception. As shown inFIG. 22A, the facsimile setting includes a “reception facsimile (fax)transfer” (do, do not), a thousand cases of “transmission origin(CSI/RTI) transfer” (do, do not), a “setting of transmission facsimile(fax) external line transmission number”, and a “transmission facsimile(fax) port setting”.

One “transmission origin” (CSI/RTI) transfer includes a “mail transferdestination” (selected from “mail/group destinations”, “registrationusers” as guest setting information), and a “file transfer destination”(selected from the “file destinations” on the guest setting).

A hundred items can be registered at most in the “mail transferdestination”. Four items can be registered at most in the “file transferdestination”.

As shown in FIG. 22B, a file communications setting includes a“retransmission interval” (60 to 999 seconds), a “number ofretransmission times” (0 to 99 times), a “FTP Japanese code” (shift JIS,EUC), and a “FTP data transfer mode” (a PORT mode, a PASV mode).

As shown in FIG. 23A, a system administration includes four categoriesof a storage document, a career administration, a security, and a datesetting.

As shown in FIG. 23B, the storage document includes a “general document”(do (1 to 180 days holding), do not) for setting automatic erasesetting, a “reception mail” (do (1 to 180 days holding), do not), a“reception facsimile” (do (1 to 180 days holding), do not, a “yettransmitted tray” (do (1 to 180 days holding), do not), an “automatic(auto) erase time” (erasing time (0:00 to 23:50), and a “restriction ofpersonal capacity” (do (0.1 GB to 99.9 GB), do not.

As shown in FIG. 23C, the career administration includes an “automatic(auto) erase of career” (do (erasing time 0.00 to 23:50), do not, a“career holding term” (do (1 to 180 days), do not, and an “automatic(auto) printing of administrative report” (do (printing time 0.00 to23:50), do not.

As shown in FIG. 23D, the security includes an “administrator usesetting password”, an “automatic (auto) restart” (do (with restartingtime 0.00 to 23:50), do not), a “guest menu forbiddance” (do, do not), a“new personal registration forbiddance” (do, do not) and, a “designationdirect input forbiddance” (do, do not) each for the “guest menurestriction”. Also included are a “general document” (do, do not), a“reception mail” (do, do not), a “reception facsimile (fax)” (do, donot) and a “yet transmitted tray” (do, do not) each for passwordprotection of a storage document of the guest. Further included are a“HTTP access restriction” (do (HTTP access restriction setting), donot), and a “SMTP/POP access restriction” (do (SMTP/POP accessrestriction setting), do not) each for the “network access restriction”.

To protect a storage document before logging on the multifunctionalproduct 1, an administrator use setting password is used when a guestenters into a screen thereof, and a user name of a Web browser requestsa user ID. A user name of the Web browser is an identification name setby the guest.

As shown in FIG. 23E, a date setting includes a “date setting” (e.g.current date; 2003 to 2099, January to December, 1st to 31st), and a“time & day setting” (e.g. a current time; 0 to 23 O'clock, 0 to 59minutes, 0 to 59 seconds).

When a URL is transmitted by electronic mail as link information toobtain a prescribed file to a destination of a multifunctional product100 from multifunctional product 1 while requesting authorizationinformation, the multifunctional product 100 cannot logon a FTP server(i.e., a file server), resulting in missing of a file, because anoperator does not always attend to the multifunctional product 100 torespond by inputting the authorization information.

To prevent such missing of a file, a password and a user ID aregenerally included in the link information to obtain authorization ofaccess and identify the file when logging on the FTP server. However,since such an electronic mail is transmitted without being encrypted, itis not preferable in view of security.

Then, to deal with such a situation, a confidential link is employed inthe preferred embodiment.

Specifically, the multifunctional product 1 includes a confidential linkinformation table that stores a plurality of confidential linkinformation as shown in FIG. 24A. Each of the confidential linkinformation includes an “address name”, a “user ID”, a “password”, a“schema”, and a “network address” as shown in FIG. 24B.

A plurality of common confidential link information (e.g. a user ID anda password) are included and used between multifunctional products 1 and100, which frequently communicate a confidential link with each other. Atransmission side puts a “network address/file name”, for example, inbody text information of an electronic mail to designate confidentiallink information.

An electronic mail reception side then extracts the confidential linkinformation from the confidential link information table based on the“network address” included in a reception electronic mail.

Then, the reception side accesses a FTP server (e.g. a file server) toobtain an objective file using a corresponding schema and networkaddress registered in the confidential link information table. When theFTP server requests authorization information, the reception sideresponds by providing a corresponding user ID and password.

After logging in the FTP sever, the reception side retrieves anobjective “file name” and extracts and obtains the objective file fromthe FTP server.

Further, when an operator of the multifunctional product 1 intends totransmit a document file stored in its own storage device such as a HDDto another user such as a multifunctional product 100 using theconfidential ink, he or she notifies the confidential link information(URL/URI) for obtaining a storage document file by an electronic mailwithout the storage file to the other user as document storage linktransmission.

The destination (i.e., multifunctional product 100) having received suchan electronic mail then accesses the multifunctional product 1 byprocessing the confidential link information with appropriateapplication (for example, a ftp client, a Web browser, etc.,), andobtains the storage file. Since the multifunctional product 1 ordinarilyuses a FTP protocol when downloading a storage document file, a linkinformation includes “ftp://

host

:

port

/

path

”. A pass name is arranged in the

path

to represent a file name of a storage document included in a file systemof the multifunctional product.

An attribute that indicates either “disclosure” or “non-disclosure” canbe added to a document stored in the multifunctional product 1. Such anattribute can be added at one of when a user stores a document, and whena personal system setting or a system setting is performed.

When a document file externally requested to be obtained includes“disclosure” as an attribution, the multifunctional product 1 transmitsa document file to a file request origin without condition.

In contrast, when a document file externally requested to be obtainedincludes “non-disclosure” as an attribution, the multifunctional product1 transmits information that requests an input of authorizationinformation, such as an operational screen for inputting and returningthe authorization information, to the file request origin.

When appropriate authorization information, such as a user ID and apassword, etc., is received from the file request origin, themultifunctional product 1 transmits the document file to the filerequest origin.

When the appropriate authorization information is not received from thefile request origin, the multifunctional product 1 transmits messagesindicative of denial of the file request to the file obtaining requestorigin.

Destinations receiving “document storage link transmission” are limitedto those that belong to an Intranet to which the multifunctional product1 belongs. The Intranet represents all of networks, such as a networkformed by connecting and consolidating a plurality of local area networkwith a VPN, networks given the same domain, etc., beside a singlesegment of a LAN.

Now, an exemplary operation performed in the multifunctional products 1and 100 are described with reference to FIGS. 25A to 30.

When a user logs in the multifunctional product 1 to execute suchdocument storage link transmission, a personal menu screen is displayedas shown in FIG. 25A. When the user depresses a button (e.g. a “storagedocument”) enabling a function of accessing a storage document, astorage document screen is displayed as shown in FIG. 25B. Contentsdisplayed on the storage document screen accord with details set to themain screen on the display setting screen on the personal system settinginformation screen on the personal setting information screen.

In the display screen shown in the drawings subsequent to FIG. 26A,elements having oblique lines represent unavailability of selection,while elements written by thick lines represent availability ofselection.

When a thumbnail displayed on a first page is depressed to designate atransmission document, a screen transits and displays only a thumbnailimage of a selected transmission document as shown in FIG. 26A. Whensuch selection is completed, a button indicating “totransmission/storage” on the right upper side on the screen isdepressed. Then, a selection screen of a mail destination is displayedas shown in FIG. 26B. Items displayed on the selection screen of themail destination substantially correspond to those registered in themail destination section on the personal setting information screen onthe personal setting information screen.

A “planning department” is selected as a “To” field, for example. Whenselection of such a destination is completed, and a user depresses an“OK” button, a screen for selecting a mail-returning destination isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 27A. A “service department” is selected as amail-returning destination, for example. Items displayed on such aselection screen substantially correspond to those registered in themail destination screen as personal setting information.

When selection of the mail returning destination is completed and a userdepresses an “OK” button, a screen for selecting a “case name” isdisplayed as shown in FIG. 27B. Items displayed on such a selectionscreen substantially correspond to those registered in the casename/body context screen as personal setting information.

Beside listed items, a “direct inputting” can be utilized. Specifically,when the “direct inputting” is designated, an input screen indicating akeyboard is separately open, and an optional character string can beinput.

Upon completion of inputting and depression of an “OK” button, a screenenabling selection of a transmission option is displayed as shown inFIG. 28. A user then depresses a button of “transmission option”displayed on the right side of the screen to set a “document storagelink”.

Thus, a sub window pops up and is displayed on the display screen ofFIG. 28 as shown in FIG. 29A as an initial status. After that, a “do”button is depressed for transmitting the document storage link. Thus,items of link types located below can be operated as shown in FIG. 29B.

A user then depresses a “document storage link” as a link type, as wellas an “OK” button.

Then, the display screen of the transmission option is changed todisplay to a transmission condition of an electronic mail to be sent asshown in FIG. 30. When an “OK” button is depressed on the screen, thesub window disappears, and the screen of FIG. 28 appears again.

When document storage is executed just before, and thus a selecteddocument has not been completely stored at that time, a screen promptingcompletion of transmission document storage is displayed.

When a user turns on a start key of a keyboard 41 b, a multifunctionalproduct 1 creates information as header information, to which adesignated destination, a case name, and a mail retuning destination areassigned, and adds URL information to obtain a designated storagedocument as body context information of an electronic mail.

Then, the electronic mail is transmitted.

An exemplary sequence executed when a document storage link istransmitted from the multifunctional product 1 is now described withreference to FIG. 31.

Initially, a user designates a transmission content (e.g. a documentfile) in step S101. The user then designates a mail destination in stepS102. The user then selects a transmission option and designates astorage document link transmission in step S103. The user then waits foran instruction to start transmission.

When the transmission is started, header information is formed from adesignated destination, a case name, and a mail-retuning destination.Simultaneously, URL (e.g. a link address) is formed and set as bodycontext information of an electronic mail to obtain a designated storagedocument file from a HDD of its own.

Then, an electronic mail formed in steps S105 and S106 is transmitted instep S107, and an operation is terminated.

An exemplary sequence executed by a multifunctional product 100 when anelectronic mail is received is now described with reference to FIGS. 32Aand 32B.

Initially, when an electronic mail is received in step S201, theelectronic mail is distributed and preserved in a mailbox incorrespondence with a destination mail address included therein in stepS202.

Then, it is checked if a distributed destination is a mailbox of aregistered user with reference to the mail address, in step S203. If theresult is positive (Yes in step S203), processing set corresponding tothe mailbox of the distributed destination is executed in step S204.

When the result in step S203 is negative (i.e., No), since theelectronic mail is directed to a guest user not registered beforehand,and accordingly to the multifunctional product 100 itself, it is furtherchecked if a distribution destination is either a “storage mail box”, a“facsimile transfer mail box”, a “printing mail box”, or an “error mailbox” in steps S205, S206, and S207, respectively by checking the mailaddress.

When the determination is negative in step S207, and accordingly, thedistribution destination is the “error mail box”, contents of areception error mail are displayed or printed out depending uponsettings in step S208.

When the result of the determination is negative (i.e., No) in stepS205, and accordingly, the distribution destination is the “storage mailbox”, it is further checked if link information is included in bodycontext information in step S210.

When the determination in step S210 is positive, link information isprocessed by an applicable application, and a designated file is finallyobtained in step S211 as mentioned earlier. If the determination isnegative (i.e., No) in step S210, a file attached to the body contextinformation is preserved in the own terminal in step S212.

When the determination is positive (i.e., Yes) in step S206, andaccordingly, the distribution destination is the “facsimile transfermail box”, prescribed facsimile transfer processing is executed inaccordance with contents of a reception electronic mail in step S213.

When the determination is negative (i.e., No) in step S206, andaccordingly, the distribution destination is the “printing mail box”, afile attached to a reception electronic mail is printed out in stepS214.

Numerous additional modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, thepresent invention may be practiced otherwise that as specificallydescribed herein.

1. A multifunctional product configured to communicate data with atleast one terminal over a network using a prescribed communicationsprotocol, said multifunctional product comprising: an image informationobtaining device configured to obtain image information; a document filestoring device configured to store the image information in a prescribedlocation as a document file; a designating device configured todesignate at least one terminal to receive a document file; and a filetransmission device configured to transmit the document file to the atleast one terminal simultaneously with when the document file storingdevice stores the image information in the document file.
 2. Themultifunctional product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the document fileis provided with an attribution indicating if image information of thedocument file is disclosed, and wherein the network multifunctionalproduct requests authorization information when the document file havingthe attribution representing that image information is not disclosed isaccessed.
 3. The multifunctional product as claimed in claim 2, whereinsaid attribution is attached to the document file when the documentfiled is made.
 4. The multifunctional product as claimed in claim 2,wherein said at least one terminal executes communications in accordancewith the confidential link information when accessing the document filestoring device. 5-8. (canceled)
 9. A multifunctional product configuredto communicate data with at least one terminal over a network using aprescribed communications protocol, said multifunctional productcomprising: means for obtaining image information; means for storing theimage information in a prescribed location as a document file; means fordesignating at least one terminal to receive a document file; and meansfor transmitting the document file to the at least one terminalsimultaneously with when the means for storing stores the imageinformation in the document file.
 10. The multifunctional product asclaimed in claim 9, wherein the document file is provided with anattribution indicating if image information of the document file isdisclosed, and wherein the network multifunctional product requestsauthorization information when the document file having the attributionrepresenting that image information is not disclosed is accessed. 11.The multifunctional product as claimed in claim 10, wherein saidattribution is attached to the document file when the document filed ismade.
 12. The multifunctional product as claimed in claim 10, whereinsaid at least one terminal executes communications in accordance withthe confidential link information when accessing the means for storing.13-16. (canceled)